Parents are universally viewed as the one’s that shower their children with affection and are looked to for support during critical times. At a young age, individuals tend to view their parents as role models and savor any opportunity they have with them. They crave for the smallest bit of attention and despise the mere presence of anyone else. However, this stage is outgrown to the point where people tend to feel ashamed whenever we see our parents in public. This idea is clearly transparent in Kiss and Tell by Alain de Botton. Botton illustrates how teens and young adults repel from being around their former idols, especially in public settings. Botton conveys his theme of growing up through the means of exemplifying the chagrin and humiliation individuals feel in the presence of their parents. …show more content…
We see an example of clever diction when Isabel first spots her parents. Isabel is clearly surprised by her parents attendance as she states,”’What is she doing here? And what’s that dress?’ It looks like a willow tree.” Bottons purposely italicised the word “doing” to emphasize her displeasure of her parents presence. The use of rhetorical questions gives the reader a feeling of panic and disbelief that Isabel is feeling. Claiming that her mother’s dress looks like a “willow tree” reveals her disapproval of her mother’s fashion taste and serves as an attempt by Isabel to extricate herself from her mother. Once her parents spot Isabel, the situation continues to escalate as,”Isabel smiled feebly… ‘I can’t believe this, please make them shut up.’” The use of the word “feebly” contributes to the evidence that Isabel is aggravated by the situation. Botton uses the word “rescue” to describe how Isabel felt as the play started which forced her parents to be seated. Botton clearly employs a multitude of stylistic diction which allows the audience to have a close up with the thoughts and emotions of